Course Catalog: 2022-23

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.

Professors de la Carrera†, Katsaros (Chair), Rockwell†, and Associate Professor Sigal‡; Assistant Professor Nader-Esfahani; Senior Lecturer Uhden.

The objective of the French major is to learn about French culture directly through its language and principally by way of its literature. Emphasis in courses is upon examination of significant authors or problems rather than on chronological survey. We read texts closely from a modern critical perspective, but without isolating them from their cultural context. To give students a better idea of the development of French culture throughout the centuries, we encourage majors to select courses from a wide range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to successful completion of the major. Most courses are taught in French. The Department also urges majors to spend a semester or a year studying in a French-speaking country. The major in French provides effective preparation for graduate work, but it is not conceived as strictly pre-professional training.

Major Program. The Department of French aims at flexibility and responds to the plans and interests of the major within a structure that affords diversity of experience in French literature and continuous training in the use of the language.

A major (both rite and with Departmental Honors) will normally consist of a minimum of eight courses, six of which must be courses that are conducted in French. Students may choose to take (a) eight courses in French literature and civilization; or (b) six courses in French literature and civilization and two related courses with departmental approval. In either case, a minimum of four courses must be taken from the French offerings at Amherst College. One of these four must be taken during the senior year. All courses offered by the Department above FREN 103 may count for the major. Among these eight courses, one must be chosen from the Middle Ages or Renaissance, and one from the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. With departmental approval up to four courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward the eight required courses for the major. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh week of the spring semester of the senior year.

Departmental Honors Program. Candidates for Departmental Honors must write a thesis in addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the major described above. Students who wish to write a thesis should begin to develop a topic during their junior year and must submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Department at the beginning of the second week of fall semester classes. Subject to departmental approval of the thesis proposal, candidates for Departmental Honors will enroll in FREN 498 and 499 during their senior year. (FREN 498 and 499 will not be counted towards the eight-course requirement for the major.) Oral examinations on the thesis will be scheduled in late spring.

Foreign Study. A program of study approved by the Department for a junior year in France has the support of the Department as a significant means of enlarging the major’s comprehension of French civilization and as the most effective method of developing mastery of the language.

Exchange Fellowships. Graduating seniors are eligible for two Exchange Fellowships for study in France: one fellowship as Teaching Assistant in American Civilization and Language at the University of Dijon; the other as Exchange Fellow, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

Course numbering system. FREN 101-208 are French Language and Composition courses. FREN 101-207 are numbered by degree of difficulty. FREN 207 and 208 have identical prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All courses numbered 320 and above, with the exception of those courses conducted in English, list FREN 207 and 208 as prerequisites. Courses numbered 320 and above are advanced courses but are not ranked by order of difficulty. They are organized, instead, by period in the following manner:

311–319: French Literature and Civilization320–329: Medieval and Renaissance Literature and Culture330–339: Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture340–349: Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture350–359: Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture360–369: Special Courses470+: Advanced Courses498–499: Senior Departmental Honors490: Special Topics

†On leave fall semester 2022-23. ‡On leave spring semester 2022-23.